Welsh Liberal Democrats

'Destruction of Libanus chapel underlines need to improve how we protect our heritage'

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has raised the destruction of Libanus Chapel in Swansea by fire at the weekend with the Welsh Heritage Minister.

Speaking in response to a Government statement on, 'Priorities for the historic environment of Wales', Mr. Black described the fire that swept through the 100 year old chapel on Cwmbwrla roundabout on Saturday morning as, 'a tragic loss of an important part of our heritage'. He called on the Minister to review the way that Cadw and other government agencies seek to protect important and iconic buildings like Libanus.

"Libanus chapel has been empty for the best part of a decade and has suffered from vandalism and general neglect," said Mr. Black. "Local Councillors have worked hard to try and find alternative uses for it but that has not proved possible. Instead, they have concentrated on making it safe and dealing with any problems as they arose.

"The fate of Libanus and other historic buildings underlines the importance of re-evaluating the value of community buildings, how they can be preserved and how we can find new uses for them. Nobody is really doing that job and that needs to change."